Hands free, controlled autofill for a dispenser

• US 9,499,384 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2015
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Chase, Kevin M, Janke, Brian P, Ashrafzadeh, Farhad, Kanchanavally, Shreecharan, Kerner, James
• Primary Examiner(s): NIESZ, JASON KAROL
• Application Number:
  US14/828,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20150353337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 141/83, 141 94- 96, 141/192, 141/351, 141/360, 141/1, 732/90.R, 623/89, 250/221, 250/222.1, 222/23, 222/52
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0858 using compression systems
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0878 Safety, warning or controlling devices B67D1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1236 comprising means for detecting the size of vessels to be filled
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1238 comprising means for detecting the liquid level in vessels to be filled, e.g. using ultrasonic waves, optical reflexion, probes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/124 the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2400/10 Refrigerator units
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/22 particularly adapted for household refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/06 Sensors detecting the presence of a product
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/06 with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation

Abstract

A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.

Claims

1. A method of performing a dispensing operation from a dispenser assembly comprising:

capturing an image of a container with a camera;

analyzing the image; and

performing the dispensing operation based on the image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is analyzed in determining a height of the container.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

employing geometric positioning between the camera and the container in analyzing the image.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein analyzing the image includes determining an angle from the camera and an upper rim of the container.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the height of the container is determined by subtracting a height value from a maximum container height.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

employing a triangulation technique in analyzing the image.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

capturing another image of the container with another camera; and

performing the dispensing operation based on the images from both cameras.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

capturing the image from an upper location; and

capturing the another image from a lower location.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the image is directed to a height of a container and the another image is directed to a position of the container.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing the dispensing operation with the dispenser assembly being incorporated in an appliance.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the appliance is a refrigerator and the dispensing operation includes dispensing at least one of water and ice into the container.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically filling the container to a pre-specified level or volume.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

illuminating the container during at least a portion of the dispensing operation.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sensing movement of the container during the dispensing operation.

15. A dispenser assembly for selectively performing a dispensing operation from an appliance comprising:

a dispensing outlet for dispensing into a container; and

a sensor system including a camera for capturing an image and an image analyzer operatively coupled to the camera for evaluating the image to regulate the dispensing operation.

16. The dispenser assembly according to claim 15, further comprising:

a second digital camera image for capturing a second image of the container, wherein the digital image analyzer evaluates both the first and second images in regulating the dispensing operation.

17. The dispenser assembly according to claim 16, wherein the second camera is located lower than the first camera in the appliance.

18. The dispenser assembly according to claim 17, further comprising:

first and second targets, wherein the first and second cameras are directed to take images of the first and second targets respectively.

19. The dispenser assembly according to claim 15, wherein the appliance is a refrigerator from which is dispensed at least one of water and ice.

20. The dispenser assembly according to claim 19, wherein the dispenser assembly is provided in a door of the refrigerator.